Abstract: This document presents the findings of an investigation to assess the current state-of-the-art in small satellite software architecture, verification, and validation. Generally, a small satellite is one that has low mass (less than 500 kg), is low cost (less than $5M), and/or has a short development time (less than two years from first design to launch). Many small satellites have a mass around 1 kg, cost less than $4M, and can be developed in less than a year. Small satellites dominate today...

Source: Small Satellite Software Architecture, Verification, and Validation